Because publishers want you to buy their product every month, comics are typically serial in nature. However, occasionally (and more often nowadays than ever before) publishers launch a comic title that is only meant to last for one issue. While ongoing series often have multiple chances to hook in new readers, the comics highlighted in this ongoing investigations only had One-Shot At Greatness!
Publisher: Marvel Comics
Cover Date: April 2011
Cover Price: $2.99
Writer: Roger Stern
Artist: Neil Vokes
This tale takes place years ago and begins with Stephen Strange purchasing a brownstone in New York’s Greenwich Village – despite the real estate agent’s warnings that its supposedly haunted. While looking around, Doctor Strange notices that he’s not alone in his new dwelling. After further investigation, he discovers that Tyanon‘s familiar is in the house, attempting to open a portal for his mistress to enter into the Earthly plane. Can our freshly trained sorcerer figure out how to prevent an invasion stemming from his new house?
This was a fun story with neat illustrations by Vokes that seem to mix Mignola with Saturday Morning cartoons. It’s a neat, previously untold tale of Doctor Strange’s first day in his now-famous brownstone. Interestingly enough, this story was set to be printed in 1998’s Marvel Universe – but that series was canceled before this issue was published. Luckily, it’s been brought out of the Marvel Vault and dusted off for our enjoyment!
On Ebay: Doctor Strange | Roger Stern | Neil Vokes
On AtomicAvenue: Doctor Strange